Senior Associate / Legal Director / Partner - Environmental

Trowers & Hamlins; Exeter; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Exeter is seeking a senior environmental practitioner to join its national practice. The role involves advising on a wide range of environmental and legal matters, ensuring compliance with regulations, and developing effective client relationships. Ideal candidates should be qualified solicitors with a minimum of 6 years of experience in environmental law, outstanding communication skills, and a sharp commercial awareness. This position offers a chance to shape the future of environmental law in a supportive and ambitious team.

Benefits

Structured career development

Mentorship from industry leaders

Opportunity to work on market-defining projects

Qualifications

• A minimum of 6 years' experience in environmental law.
• Strong academic record.
• Exceptional technical legal skills.

Responsibilities

• Advising on environmental and legal matters.
• Ensuring compliance with environmental laws.
• Building and maintaining effective client relationships.

Skills

Client focus

Legal skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Description

Who we are

Our Environmental lawyers are part of our wider Planning and Environmental team and act for a full range of clients in both the private and public sectors. We work closely with colleagues in our leading Public Sector, Real Estate, Construction and Corporate teams providing our clients with the best and most commercial advice, irrespective of market sector. We advise on all contentious and non‑contentious aspects of the environmental regime.

Our team has grown significantly over the last six years. We are based in London, Exeter and Manchester. Not resting on our laurels, our business plan foresees continued growth. We have plans to strengthen our practice in London and the regions and an exciting opportunity has now arisen for a senior environmental practitioner to join our national practice. Working seamlessly with colleagues and clients across the country, you will support our lead environmental partner, Amanda Stubbs. Most importantly, however, the opportunity is for you to assist in the future development of the firm’s environmental offering both inside and outside of London. You will have significant opportunity to develop a strong practice.

What you will be doing

• Advising on a range of environmental and legal matters
• Advising clients on regulatory and compliance matters
• Ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations
• Assisting with Environmental Information Regulation queries.
• Environmental due diligence on commercial and corporate transactions
• Building and maintaining effective client relationships
• Active participation in marketing initiatives
• Ensuring files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures
• Participating in firm-wide and departmental training sessions
• Training and development of junior legal staff and secretary (where appropriate)

What you will need

The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we expect of those at this grade. In particular for this role we require:

• Proven ability to take on responsibility and manage files, independently where appropriate;
• Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 6 years' experience in environmental
• Strong academic record
• Exceptional technical legal skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Unwavering client focus with a track record of superior service delivery
• Sharp commercial awareness and strategic thinking capabilities
• Natural credibility and gravitas in client‑facing situations
• Methodical, disciplined and highly organised approach to complex matters
• Outstanding communication skills across all mediums and audiences

Join a team where your expertise shapes the future of environmental law. At Trowers & Hamlins, you’ll benefit from structured career development, mentorship from industry leaders, and the opportunity to work on market‑defining projects whilst building your reputation as an environmental law expert in a supportive, ambitious environment.

Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values equity, diversity and inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant’s suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non‑binary) Race, Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.

As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and criminal checks as appropriate.